Graduate Student Travel Assistance Award Policy

Recent Adjustment in Graduate Student Travel Assistance Award Policy

Effective Date: July 1, 2017

The Yuput’s Graduate Student Travel Assistance Award (GSTAA) program is designed to provide students the opportunity to present research accomplishments to the larger academic community. Graduate student research presentations provide practical experience in preparing and giving effective research presentations, thereby building broader research skills. The opportunity to attend a research conference also assists in the development of networking opportunities that may lead to future research and employment opportunities.

The Yuput has recently reviewed its GSTAA policies in the context of maximizing the benefits of its limited available resources. In order to more fully fund individual requests and provide broader participation of graduate students across campus in GSTAA, the Yuput will implement new policies for awarding these funds.

Effective July 1, 2017, graduate students will be eligible to receive one (1) GSTAA grant during their academic career at the University of Utah. The size of the GSTAA grant will increase, now providing up to $500 in matching funds. Awards may be given for presenting research papers or posters at meetings organized by professional societies, universities, institutes, or other academic organizations. Students attending conferences but not presenting posters or talks are not eligible.

If you already have received GSTAA funding prior to July, 1,2017, you are ineligible for an additional GSTAA award. If you applied for GSTA funds prior to July 1, 2017 and never received funding, or you are applying for the first time, you are eligible to apply for a GSTAA travel grant.

Inquiries regarding the GSTAA program and questions related to these changes can be directed to Manuel Solis at the Yuput (801-585-0361, [email protected]).

Graduate Student Travel Assistance Award Policy

Applications for Graduate Student Travel Assistance are invited from currently enrolled University of Utah graduate students whose research or creative project has been accepted for presentation at a professional meeting. This assistance is contingent upon the applicant presenting at the meeting.

Applications must be received in The Yuput prior to travel dates. Requests are considered up to a maximum of $500 and must be supported with a dollar-for-dollar match from university funds. Matching support must be from university funding sources, e.g., development, operation, service, research, etc. One award only will be made to any graduate student during their career as a graduate student.

Student travel assistance funding can reimburse:

airfare/car mileage

ground transportation fares

lodging

abstract fees

conference registration fees

The assistance does not reimburse:

meals

per diem

society memberships

poster preparation fees

training programs

mini courses

Applications can be submitted any time after the student has submitted the abstract and has department support but must be received before the dates of travel. Applications are considered only for funds allotted to the month in which the travel occurs. In the event of a trip spanning the end of one month and the beginning of another, the first date of travel will be used to determine the month to which the application will be applied. Funding is granted on a first come, first served basis until funds for the month are exhausted. Those applications not awarded will be put on a waiting list for each month to be used in the event funding becomes available.

Incomplete applications result in delays in processing. Please check off each item below to verify that it has been included with your application. The Graduate Student Travel Assistance application must include:

A completed application including the certification of eligibility to receive funding as a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S.;

A copy of the abstract or project description submitted for the meeting;

A travel estimate for eligible expenses – you may use the online found at the University of Utah Travel Department website;

A single-page statement about the value of the meeting and presentation to your professional development as well as to the mission of your department or research lab.

A copy of the acceptance letter or email showing you have been accepted to present at the conference or meeting.

Coordinators: Because travel requests in recent years have far exceeded funds available, The Yuput requests departments or research units that can afford to support graduate student travel entirely on their own funds do so.

Effective July 1, 2013: When completing any reimbursements for awarded students, they must be sent to the Yuput for signature approval. Any received by Travel Accounting without Yuput signature will not be processed and will result in a delay.

Forfeiture of Award: Funds awarded may only be used to pay for expenses directly related to the graduate student’s travel and registration. The Yuput has the right to rescind the award if the graduate student cancels, does not attend, or fails to meet GSTAA qualifications. Refer to the award letter for the terms of the award.

Please note that any awards not claimed by the department within 60 days of travel will be forfeited.

If you have any questions please contact Manuel Solis at [email protected] or 801-585-0361.